1911 Front Strap Checkering - Finished! With Pictures

[AndyH]

Ricsha

Looks fantastic, Please share your very good pictorial how-to online link.
I would love to take a look at it.


Andy

 

[asiparks]

I'm just going to repeat what everybody else has said... Excellent job, the finished pistol looks superb !

 

[PBinWA]

Looks fantastic, Please share your very good pictorial how-to online link.

+1 I want to see the link too. Very nice work!

 

[ricsha]

Thanks for the compliments, and thanks for asking about the link. I've added it to my original post but here it is again:
The link that I found, which gave me the courage to learn to checker on a $1000+ pistol can be found at:
Checkering the front strap of a 1911 I can't say enough about this excellent guide with clear and detailed pictures.

Ironically I have one of the Brownell guides shown, but couldn't find it at the time, so I used a piece of hard maple as a guide and it worked just fine. If I were going to do several more pistols, I would buy one of the Marvel Checkering Guides (about $200) because it supports the checkering file on BOTH sides, instead of just one side. I slipped plenty of times getting started in my learning curve; fortunately was able to cover those slips up as the checkering got deeper.

The pro's have earned my respect for the checkering that they do. Of course, if I were going to do enough of them, a milling machine would be nice too!

 

[olyshoots]

Awesome report and result. You added significantly to the DW both in looks and value. I really like the 40 LPI on the back of the slide!

 

[Silver Fox]

You are a braver man than I and an awesome job to boot!

I am getting a Norinco 1911 to do that to as my first.

Dave at SRA does charge around that price range for a hand checkering job like that.

SF-

 

[madcratebuilder]

Nice work, I find a lot of satisfaction in doing this kind of work on my own fire arms.

 

[PBinWA]

I don't think I have the patience to do that kind of detail work. Great work!

 

[Silver Fox]

Thanks for the link!

I got my norinco 1911 and am going to dedicate this as my tribute to the 100th anniversery of the 1911.

SF-

 

[009]

congrat's, you did a excellent job. so when are you open for bus.?